Fat injections, also known as a facial fat transfer or fat grafting, restore youthful volume to the face to combat the effects of facial aging. This is a two-step procedure that begins with liposuction to harvest excess fat from certain areas like the stomach, thighs, or buttocks. Liposuction only requires small port sites, leaving minimal incision scars. Once the fat is harvested, it is carefully injected into the cheeks and mid-face regions to restore a more youthful appearance and create more facial definition.
When you’re looking to restore youthful volume to your face, a great option is to use your body’s own natural resources. That’s exactly what fat injections do by taking excess fat harvested from the patient’s own body through liposuction. This provides an additional benefit for patients struggling with excess fat and seeking a more contoured appearance.
By adding volume to the face, these injections can improve the appearance of hollow cheeks and lack of definition in the facial structures while softening deep wrinkles like nasolabial folds (smile lines) and marionette lines. Fat injections are a safe alternative to injectable fillers and act as a more permanent filler, producing long-lasting, natural-looking results. If you have very low body fat and are unable to donate your own tissue, there are alternatives like Renuva and soon their competitor AlloClae. These are fat stimulators that can be injected under the skin to stimulate your body to make fat in that specific area.
Dr. Timothy Janiga is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over two decades of experience and countless patient success stories. His calm, expert, and meticulous approach has transformed the lives of both cosmetic and reconstruction patients, helping them feel good in their bodies. Dr. Janiga is an expert in all aspects of plastic surgery and specializes in cosmetic facial surgery, body contouring, and breast surgery.
Most adults who are experiencing age-related volume loss can benefit from facial fat grafting, since the patient’s own fat is used. Dr. Timothy Janiga has found fat injections to be effective for both men and women, as the normal aging process includes loss of volume in the face. For optimal results, patients should be in overall good health and have good skin tone. Dr. Janiga will review the patient’s medical history and examine their facial anatomy and skin quality to determine whether they are good candidates for this procedure. Fat grafting is tailored to each patient’s aesthetic goals and may be combined with other procedures to simultaneously address multiple skin concerns.
As a patient of both Dr. Jennifer and Tim Janiga, I have the utmost praise for the care I have received. They are fantastic at what they do. The attention to detail and going “above and beyond” is very much appreciated.
I recently underwent surgery with Dr. Tim Janiga and cannot recommend him enough. Dr. Janiga has a wonderful bedside manner and is a fantastic surgeon. Everything went smoothly, from the consult to post op care. The entire office staff is professional, helpful and incredibly kind. Both the office and Mountain West Surgical Center are beautiful and exceptionally clean, which gave me peace of mind. Thank you again Dr. Janiga and staff!
I have had an amazing experience as a patient with Dr. Janiga and his staff. I have been lucky to also have the opportunity to work with him. He is a very skilled surgeon and his results are incredible. Their scheduler, receptionists, nurses, all their staff are very knowledgeable and helpful.
Fat injections can be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure and the patient’s comfort. An area of the body is selected for harvesting, and the fat is removed via liposuction. The fat is then processed for transfer, where it is loaded into syringes. We then prep the recipient area, and the transferred fat is injected in small amounts at a time until the desired volume has been achieved. Procedure times may vary, but generally last between one and two hours.
Recovery involves mild to moderate swelling and bruising around the donor site and injection sites that can last up to two weeks. Over-the-counter or prescription pain medication and cold compresses will alleviate swelling and discomfort. Most patients may return to work within one to two weeks, but strenuous activities should be avoided for at least two weeks, or until patients have been approved by Dr. Janiga.
Although patients can immediately see improvement in facial volume, some of the injected fat cells will be absorbed into the body over a few weeks. Expect full results within four weeks. Once fully recovered, you will see restored volume, a fuller appearance in the treated area of the face, improved shape, and improvement in skin texture and health. A healthy lifestyle will maintain the newly trimmed contour of the donor areas and ensure lasting skin health for optimal results.
Choosing JanigaMDs for your facial fat injections means trusting your care to a team grounded in expert surgical training, personalized aesthetic vision, and an unwavering commitment to patient satisfaction. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Timothy Janiga has expertise in facial rejuvenation and advanced techniques drawn from his extensive training in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Janiga has over two decades of experience in plastic surgery and completed his residency at the University of Michigan, one of the nation’s top programs, and has built a reputation for artistry, precision, and thoughtful patient care. Drawing on his foundation in plastic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Janiga carefully assesses facial architecture, fat distribution, and aging patterns to design personalized treatment plans that complement each patient’s unique features.
Dr. Janiga’s expertise has been celebrated through various achievements, including awards, accolades, and membership in several prestigious organizations, including the American Institute of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He has repeatedly earned awards for “Top Doctor in Nevada” and Patient Satisfaction, is listed in the Top 5% on the American Registry of America’s Most Honored Professionals, and is recognized as a RealSelf Top Doctor.
As a practice, JanigaMDs offers the advantage of integrated expertise, with a board-certified plastic surgeon and a board-certified dermatologist collaborating under one roof. There is no other practice to have this combined expertise in Northern Nevada. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that your facial fat injections are planned and executed with an eye toward harmony, proportion, and long-lasting results. Choosing JanigaMDs for facial fat injections means choosing a practice where surgical excellence, artistic judgment, and patient-first care come together to deliver refreshed, balanced, and confident results.
For more information or to set up a consultation with Dr. Timothy Janiga for fat injections in our Reno Plastic Surgery offices, please send us an email or call 775-364-0224.
JanigaMDs is the only practice in Reno where patients can consult with both a board-certified dermatologist and a board-certified plastic surgeon in one visit.
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Founded in 2010, the team at JanigaMDs has been proven to provide the utmost care for all patients. With a 4.7 rating over almost 700 reviews, JanigaMDs is the premier aesthetic practice in Northern Nevada.
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